Smoked too much weed again this weekend and your mom's telling you your brain will be permanently underdeveloped? Before you argue with her, remember that she only wants what's best for you – and simply doesn't know what she's talking about. It's true that cannabis use can have long-term developmental effects in minors, but this requires a certain level of regular use. If you're at least 21 years old, cannabis won't cause long-term brain damage. However, even though it's not considered a dangerous drug, cannabis can cause side effects that are easily avoidable.
Prejudice: A side effect of cannabis is addiction
A legitimate concern for many is the issue of addiction. After all, cannabis – like alcohol and many other mind-altering substances – is psychoactive, meaning it affects the brain. And especially in the case of cannabis, this issue needs to be approached with nuance. First of all: you will not develop a physical addiction to cannabis . This means that, unlike with other substances, you won't experience withdrawal symptoms if you take a break or even stop completely after a period of regular use. However, a "side effect" of cannabis can be a kind of psychological dependence , because cannabis definitely changes the way we deal with our emotions.
For example, if you primarily use it as a sedative to create some distance between yourself and the world when you're overstimulated, you'll suddenly find it much harder to deal with stressful situations and people while sober. It also changes how we perceive and manage ourselves and our emotions: you'll notice that as a seasoned, long-term cannabis user, you'll find it somewhat more difficult to process stressful emotions in a healthy way when sober. This can lead to a quick craving for your next joint because it provides the relief you would otherwise have to work hard to achieve. However, this isn't a general side effect of cannabis; it largely depends on how you approach it, how impulsive you are, and why you reach for a joint—or vaporizer.
Consequences and symptoms for chronic smokers: serious side effects from cannabis – or rather not?
This is precisely why chronic smokers often have weak impulses and lose their temper easily - they have forgotten how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way and process them. Statistically speaking, this also increases the risk of secondary illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorders or psychosis. In most cases, however, this can be reversed, especially if the affected person stops using, seeks help and starts to develop better coping strategies.
We don't want to scare you with this article: Regular use doesn't necessarily have to manifest itself in this way for you. Ultimately, only you can decide whether using cannabis helps you, harms you, or perhaps even both. Some people accept certain side effects of cannabis because they don't seem that important to them, or because they already have bigger problems – pain and cancer patients, for example. For them, using cannabis provides enormous relief and allows them to lead at least a partially normal life. These individuals are unlikely to develop depression. However, the side effects of cannabis are so individual and situation-dependent that we want to discuss a few of them in more detail.
Side effects of daily cannabis consumption: depression and personality changes
Let's assume you're not a pain or cancer patient – but a "normal" member of our culture, who just happens to enjoy smoking weed. What about the side effects of cannabis in this case ? Let's look at the factors that play a role:
- Do you have any previous mental illnesses?
- Do you tend to avoid problems?
- Do you tend to isolate yourself?
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions, then take another close look at your own consumption. Firstly, because people suffering from mental illnesses are more susceptible to unwanted side effects such as psychosis caused by cannabis. In principle, there is already a connection between cannabis and psychosis (consumers are about three times more susceptible) and this effect is increased if you already have a predisposition in this direction. If you are aware of this, it is reason enough to be cautious with consumption.
And if you have more of an "avoidant" personality structure? Then cannabis consumption may only help you to come out of your shell and deal with the problems in your life in a targeted manner. But here too, a differentiated view is necessary, because if used correctly, cannabis can relieve anxiety in social situations and help you to be less afraid of contact. It all depends on how you personally use this substance. As a medicinal plant or a drug? Because that also depends on whether you experience negative side effects from cannabis in the long term or a personality change as a result of consumption.
Short-term side effects of cannabis
Ever smoked way too much weed with your buddies and no one wanted to stop because everyone wanted to prove themselves, and in the end half of you threw up? It can happen. While there are no reports of anyone dying from consuming too much cannabis, the effects can be extremely unpleasant, ranging from headaches and nausea to fainting. Most people just fall asleep after throwing up once. But what do you do if you experience heart palpitations, circulatory problems, and nausea after smoking a joint?
First, get some fresh air or open the window. And relax if possible. Don't worry - dying from it is really not a side effect of cannabis. So try not to get worked up about the physical sensation, but stay relaxed if possible. Sit down somewhere, talk to a friend who makes you feel comfortable, and drink a few sips of water if you can. And then it's a matter of waiting. It's an unpleasant state, but it will go away again. If you feel the urge to move, then do it! Gentle exercise helps a little against some of the side effects of cannabis, as it stimulates circulation.
Does cannabis give you headaches?
This can happen too. It can occur if you've overdone it, if the THC content was simply higher than expected, or depending on the strain. Some terpenes produced by cannabis can indeed cause a slight throbbing in the head. These include:
- caryophyllene
- Pinene
- limonene
Just pay attention to the strains that give you a headache - and whether they contain particularly high amounts of these terpenes. Sometimes, however, it is not the cannabis that causes the headache, but the tobacco that is often in the joint. So that could also be worth a try - just smoke it pure!
How can I reduce the side effects of cannabis?
If you have no pre-existing conditions, consider yourself a healthy person, but are a little worried about how harmful smoking one joint a day is, we have a few pieces of advice for you. Firstly, you can test your addiction potential. Do you find it difficult to just give up smoking a joint one day for no reason at all? Then you should definitely take a longer break.
But also check if you get the same effect when you smoke pure cannabis, because many regular users aren't so much addicted to the cannabis itself as to the nicotine. If you simply like the taste, you can also try CBD flowers . CBD doesn't cause any side effects, tastes wonderful, and also relaxes you.
And as a final piece of advice, we recommend: Get some help! Make sure you're emotionally and mentally stable – through personal development, therapy, or something similar. As a healthy and fulfilled person, you're significantly less likely to experience long-term side effects from cannabis . Oh, and by the way : Any concentration difficulties caused by short-term use will disappear if you abstain for an extended period.
